How do Spartan Ultra and Sport Wrist HR Baro measure altitude?

Your watch continuously measures absolute air pressure using the built-in pressure sensor. Based on this measurement and reference values, it calculates altitude (altimeter, or alti) or sea level air pressure (barometer, or baro).

There are three alti-baro meter profiles available: altimeter, barometer and automatic. The watch uses the automatic profile by default to interpret air pressure changes as changes in altitude or weather based on your movement and pressure readings.

When you are recording an activity, you can change the profile to optimize pressure sensor reading.

The altimeter profile should be selected when your activity involves changes in altitude (such as hiking in the mountains).

The barometer profile should be selected when your activity does not involve changes in altitude (such as running on a track).

You can define a specific profile for each of your sport modes under the sport mode advanced settings in Movescount.To set the alti-baro profile for a custom sport mode:

1. Open www.movescount.com 2. Go to Me >> Watches >> My watches3. Click on your watch4. Go to Sport modes and select a sport mode5. Click on Show sport mode settings and scroll down to Alti-baro6. Select the profile you want to use.7. Sync your watch with SuuntoLink or Suunto Movescount App to update your watch.

Learn more about the settings options:

Altimeter profile:

Best option for all activities with altitude changes.

All pressure changes are interpreted as altitude changes

For mountaineering or long hikes, where you are also interested about weather changes, the automatic profile could also be used.

Barometer profile

Relevant for indoor and/or open air activities with no altitude variation.

Automatic profile:

Switches between barometer and altimeter profile are on your movement and the rate at which pressure changes:

if altitude changes are very small (less than 5 meters of vertical movement within 12 minutes) or the changes are very slow, the watch switches to the barometer profile and it interprets air pressure changes as weather changes.

Note:

If the altimeter profile is on for an extended period of time in a fixed location while the local weather changes, the watch may give incorrect altitude readings.

If you use the altimeter profile and the weather changes frequently while you go up or down in altitude, the watch may give you incorrect readings.

If you use the barometer profile for an extended period of time as you go up or down in altitude, the watch assumes that you are staying at the same altitude and interprets your changes in altitude as changes in sea level air pressure (weather changes). It may therefore give incorrect air pressure readings.